Block storage arrangement and method for operating a block storage arrangement

Abstract

A block storage arrangement and method. The block storage arrangement includes at least one block storage element receiving space; a loading space arranged below the block storage element receiving space; an opening, which is arranged between the block storage element receiving space and the loading space, having a holding device, so that a direction from the loading space into the block storage element receiving space defines an insertion direction, and a centering device, which is arranged in the block storage element receiving space, that is movable in the insertion direction in the block storage element receiving space.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A block storage arrangement comprising:
 at least one block storage element receiving space;   a loading space arranged below the block storage element receiving space;   an opening, which is arranged between the block storage element receiving space and the loading space, having a holding device,   wherein a direction from the loading space into the block storage element receiving space defines an insertion direction, in which the block storage element is inserted into the opening from below, and   a centering device, which is arranged in the block storage element receiving space, is movable in the insertion direction in the block storage element receiving space as the block storage element comes into contact with the centering device from below.   
     
     
         2 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of surfaces extending in the insertion direction are arranged at edges of the block storage element receiving space and the centering device interacts with the plurality of surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surfaces are arranged on posts extending in the insertion direction. 
     
     
         4 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein at least some the posts are connected to one another transversely to the insertion direction. 
     
     
         5 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 3 , wherein the posts are arranged at corners of the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the centering device has a base with a peripheral contour which is adapted to a shape of the opening and at least one centering element arranged above the base in the direction of gravity that projects beyond the peripheral contour. 
     
     
         7 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 6 , further comprising a preloading device coupled to the centering element to apply a force component transversely to the insertion direction outwardly on the centering element. 
     
     
         8 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 7 , further comprising a locking device arranged to interact with the centering element. 
     
     
         9 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 8 , further comprising an actuating device, which is activatable from below in the direction of gravity, is arranged to interact with the locking device. 
     
     
         10 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 9 , wherein the actuating device projects downward from the base in the direction of gravity. 
     
     
         11 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 6 , wherein the centering element has a roller. 
     
     
         12 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 11 , wherein the roller has a running surface formed on an elastomer material. 
     
     
         13 . The block storage arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein a block storage element is positionable below the centering device in the direction of gravity to form-fittingly engage in the centering device. 
     
     
         14 . A method for operating a block storage arrangement that includes at least one block storage element receiving space and a loading space arranged below the block storage element receiving space in a direction of gravity, the method comprising:
 moving a block storage element into the block storage element receiving space from the loading space through an opening from below,   wherein, in moving through the opening, the block storage element engages a centering device arranged in the block storage element receiving space and raises the centering device, and wherein a form-fitting engagement is produced between the block storage element and the centering device.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising locking at least one centering element of the centering device in a position projecting outwardly beyond a base of the centering device while the centering device is supported on the block storage element. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the block storage element initially engages an actuation device of the centering device that moves at least one centering element outwardly in a direction transversely to the direction of gravity to engage at least one surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one centering element comprises a roller. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the block storage element receiving space is defined by posts, the at least one surface comprises a surface extending along a length of each post, and the at least one centering element comprises a roller arranged to roll over each surface in the direction of gravity. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein, before the block storage element is moved into the block storage element receiving space, the method further comprises:
 moving the centering device from the loading space to the block storage element receiving space through the opening; and   supporting the centering device on a holding device in the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein, in moving the centering device through the opening, at least one centering element of the centering device is arranged in a retracted position to facilitate moving through the opening.